Chapter 8

The morning passed without incident, and Hitoshi had little to complain about. It had been a good week: his training was progressing at a steady pace, his new private tutor answered his questions with ease, and even though some answers were taking a while to come, it was still better than having no one at all.But above all, he had Mikoto.

He couldn't help but smile at the thought of her. Despite her lineage, the girl was surprisingly strong and determined. He'd taken more hits from her than he cared to admit, and each one reminded him just how strange this world was. A world where death lurked around every corner, where bonds could be broken in an instant. Maybe, if life had been different—if the village didn't demand blood to sustain itself—he might have allowed himself to dream of a more peaceful future. But he knew that was impossible.

Hands in his pockets, he strolled casually into the classroom. Same as always: the same faces, the same boring conversations.But something was wrong.Mikoto wasn't there.

Hitoshi frowned. His eyes scanned the room instinctively, as if she might appear at any moment. But her seat remained empty.

He dropped into his chair, but instead of staring out the window like he usually did, his eyes fixed on the door. Minutes passed, and unease crept in. When he saw his teacher enter without Mikoto in tow, anxiety gripped his chest.Did they catch her?He bit his nail slightly—a bad habit he rarely let show. The thought gnawed at him. He'd known from the start that meeting at night was risky, that Mikoto was being closely watched, but… had she really been found out?

He clenched his teeth, trying to push the thought away, when he noticed something odd about his sensei. The man's smile was wider than usual. Hitoshi wasn't sure what he'd said before walking in, but he caught his final words."Just wait a little."

Hitoshi slumped in his seat, running a hand through his hair. Mikoto… Damn it. I have to see her.But he knew it wouldn't be easy. He couldn't just walk into the Uchiha district and demand answers. Their security was airtight.

Just as his frustration was reaching its peak, the teacher returned to the classroom—this time with a girl who had striking red hair.

Hitoshi's reaction was immediate: his eyes widened in surprise. It was impossible not to recognize her. The fall of Uzushiogakure had been a recent event, a grim reminder of how fragile peace could be. And now, standing in front of him, was the future jinchūriki of the Nine Tails.

"Well, everyone, that was the surprise. We have a new classmate who's been transferred to our class."

Before he could say more, the red-haired girl stepped forward, bursting with energy."My name is Uzumaki Kushina, dattebane!"

An awkward silence filled the room before erupting into whispers. His classmates muttered about her hair, her accent, her way of speaking. Hitoshi sighed.What else could I expect?It was always the same. These kids complained about everything. The moment someone was different, they became a target. He watched the Uzumaki girl and noticed the tension in her shoulders, but then…

"I'm going to become the first woman Hokage, dattebane!"The declaration was loud enough to silence any mockery. The determination in her voice forced everyone to pay attention. Hitoshi watched his classmates' reactions with a slight smile. Interesting.

The sensei, eager to ease the tension, patted her shoulder.

"That's a great goal, Kushina-san. I hope you achieve it and surprise us all. Just make sure to mention in your speech that I was your sensei."

The girl immediately turned red. Perhaps she had spoken too boldly.

"Well then, Kushina-san, why don't you take a seat next to your new classmate, Fukui Hitoshi? Fukui-san, please raise your hand."

Hitoshi obeyed with a slight smile, but internally, he sighed. So that's his plan…

Takeo knew him too well. If he had placed the Uzumaki next to him, it was because he expected him to keep her from becoming an easy target for the others.

Kushina climbed the steps and sat beside him, still uncomfortable with the eyes that followed her like shadows. Hitoshi decided to do nothing… for now.

As the class progressed, the initial commotion over the new student died down. However, the furtive glances and whispers remained.

When the lunch break arrived, his peace was over. A group of students gathered around them, but before Hitoshi could react, someone pushed through the crowd to make their way forward.

He didn't need to see them to know who it was.

"Look, everyone, the useless one and the..." 

Goro Inuzuka paused when he saw Kushina and smirked maliciously. 

"...the little tomato." 

A clumsy, insignificant insult, but for someone so young, it would still sting. 

Hitoshi saw the redhead open her mouth to respond, but he didn't give her the chance. 

He stood up and walked forward without hesitation, his voice cutting through the air like a blade, silencing any attempt at mockery. 

"Get out of here, mutt. If you need to bother someone, go to your mother. Though I doubt even she can stand your presence." 

Hitoshi's tone wasn't that of a child playing tough. It was cold, relentless. Maybe it was the exhaustion from Mikoto's absence, maybe the constant weariness of always facing the same mediocrity. 

"If anyone wants to mess with Uzumaki-san, they'll have to go through me." 

A chilling silence took over the classroom. The group of kids instinctively stepped back. 

Goro clenched his teeth in frustration. A moment ago, he hadn't even seen Hitoshi move, yet somehow, he had stumbled backward, accidentally bumping into his pup. 

His face burned with anger, but he didn't take another step forward. He had felt something in Hitoshi's gaze. A pressure he didn't understand. Something he had only ever sensed in his father and mother. 

With no other choice, the Inuzuka turned around and left with his group, unable to even finish the insult he had started. 

Hitoshi sighed and dropped back into his seat. His sensei really had a way of roping him into things he had no interest in. 

Beside him, Kushina was glaring at him. 

"I didn't need you to defend me, dattebane." 

He shrugged, turning his gaze back to the window. 

"I never said I did it for you." 

Kushina scowled even more, but for the first time since she entered the classroom, a small smile escaped her. 

As the children scattered, Hitoshi took a deep breath. At least he'd have some peace for a while. He turned around, only to find Kushina visibly upset. He sighed. He had expected this. 

"Who said I needed your help?!" 

Hitoshi rolled his eyes indifferently. 

"No one. But unnecessary attention is annoying. Hopefully, this will make people think twice before messing with you." 

He grabbed his bag, giving the matter no further importance, and walked away, lost in his thoughts. 

"I'm not done talking to you yet!" 

Kushina hastily grabbed her things and ran after him. In her rush, she collided with a blond boy who had just entered. 

He staggered slightly backward, surprised. His bright blue eyes shone with confusion as he looked at her. 

"Ah, sorry… are you okay?" 

Kushina scowled, irritated by the interruption. 

"Tch." 

She said nothing else and kept running after Hitoshi. 

The blond boy blinked a few times, watching her as she hurried away. Then, he scratched the back of his head, unsure what to make of it. 

Hitoshi arrived at the academy rooftop. He couldn't just leave—if he did, he'd get a scolding or something worse. Leaning against the railing, he let out a long sigh. 

His eyes scanned the academy grounds. Everything was the same as always. Kids playing, talking, laughing… as if nothing else mattered. 

But he couldn't afford to be distracted by trivial things. 

"Mikoto…" 

His stomach twisted at the thought of her. It wasn't just worry. It was anxiety. 

The Uchiha weren't known for their compassion. When someone in their clan disobeyed, the punishment was never light. 

If they had discovered her… what had they done to her? 

Mikoto wasn't someone who was easily intimidated, but that only made him more nervous. Sometimes, being strong didn't mean being safe. 

He clenched his fists. 

"I just hope she didn't do something stupid."

He couldn't do anything now. There was no way for him to enter the Uchiha district without being stopped. The only thing left to do was wait… and that frustrated him more than anything else. 

His brow furrowed. He hated feeling powerless. 

The rooftop door swung open. 

"I finally found you!" 

Kushina screamed as she opened the door.

Hitoshi closed his eyes for a moment before slowly turning toward her. 

"Who gave you permission to protect me?!" 

Silence. 

Kushina was breathing heavily, still upset. 

"I don't need someone like you deciding what's best for me! I don't want anyone defending me, I don't want anyone meddling in my business! I can handle things on my own!" 

Hitoshi simply looked at her, expressionless. He had no intention of arguing. 

"Besides, you don't even know me! Why did you do that?! Why did you interfere? For what?! If you think I owe you something, forget it! I'm not going to thank you!" 

The redhead was panting, her anger palpable. 

Hitoshi sighed. 

"Starting today, you'll sit next to me." 

Kushina blinked. 

"Huh?" 

"Inuzuka was already annoying enough. Adding more people to that list because of you would be exhausting." 

Kushina opened her mouth to argue but couldn't find the words. 

Hitoshi ignored her and walked away, settling into his usual corner. 

Kushina stood at the rooftop entrance, clenching her fists. 

"What the hell is with this guy…?!" 

Her anger was starting to fade, but now it was replaced by unbearable confusion. 

She crossed her arms tightly, frowning at Hitoshi. 

"He doesn't even seem to care about anything! He doesn't even bother answering me seriously! Who does he think he is? Does he really think he can just decide something about me like that?" 

She bit her lip. 

"Or does he… just not care about what I say?" 

For some reason, that thought made her even more annoyed. 

But before she could dwell on it further, her stomach growled. 

Her face immediately turned red. 

Hitoshi raised an eyebrow, not even bothering to look at her directly. 

"If you want to eat, I don't mind. I made too much food anyway." 

Kushina froze. 

She glanced at him from the corner of her eye. Hitoshi was still sitting on the floor, legs crossed, eating slowly. His face was completely unreadable. 

He didn't seem to be mocking her. He didn't seem to expect anything in return. 

Kushina gritted her teeth. 

"I'm not falling for his game." 

She turned around, intending to leave. 

But her stomach betrayed her again. 

She clenched her fists and clicked her tongue. 

Without a word, she sat down roughly in front of him. 

Hitoshi watched her for a second before handing her a couple of rice balls. 

"If you need more, just let me know." 

Kushina took them hesitantly and started eating—cautiously at first, then with less shame. 

It wasn't the best food she'd ever had, but it wasn't bad either. 

Silence settled between them. 

Hitoshi had no desire to talk. 

Kushina was too busy eating to say anything. 

For the first time since she arrived, she didn't feel like she had to prove anything to anyone.

Uzumaki Kushina, the last survivor of the Uzumaki clan, arrived in Konoha a few months ago from the destroyed Whirlpool Island. Her arrival was anything but discreet, but among all the curious and wary gazes, there was only one that truly mattered. 

When that elderly woman welcomed her with a warm and firm embrace, her entire world crumbled. She couldn't hold back the tears or the overwhelming relief that coursed through her body. For so long, she had suppressed her emotions, trying to be strong, refusing to break… but the moment she felt those arms around her, her heart allowed itself to falter. 

From that day on, Kushina stayed close to her, absorbing her warmth, her protection. It was the elderly woman who introduced her to a young blonde girl with honey-colored eyes. 

"What's going on, Grandma? Why do you want me to meet her?" 

The blonde girl raised an eyebrow, looking at the old woman with slight skepticism. 

"Tsunade-chan, she will be your new charge." 

The elder gently stroked Kushina's red hair before continuing. 

"This is Uzumaki Kushina, the last survivor of the Land of Whirlpools." 

Tsunade's eyes widened in shock. She had heard about the massacre in her grandmother's homeland, and rage surged through her. Konoha had never held a ceremony to honor the fall of such a powerful ally, and now she understood why. 

Their gazes met—honey against amethyst. 

From that day forward, they began sharing moments together. Though Tsunade was often busy with missions, she always made sure to look for Kushina whenever she returned to the village. Sometimes she taught her things, other times they simply spent time together. Kushina, with her fiery personality, constantly demanded her attention. 

Her adaptation to Konoha was not easy. She rarely left the Senju compound, but when she did, the stares always followed her. Her red hair was too striking. She felt watched, analyzed, judged. 

But it wasn't just the villagers watching her. More than once, she had noticed masked figures hidden in the shadows. 

Konoha had not welcomed her with open arms. But her grandmother and her new sister had. 

Perhaps clinging to them so much wasn't healthy. But Kushina couldn't help feeling safe and loved when they were by her side. 

"You have to go to the academy, Kushina-chan. The Hokage didn't allow me to delay it any longer." 

Mito's voice was calm, but Kushina knew her well enough to sense the hidden tension in her words. 

The girl trembled slightly before responding. 

"Grandma… can't I just learn here? I'm sure I'll learn more from you than from the civilians in the village." 

She knelt, clutching the elder's robes, her gaze pleading. 

Mito sighed, her tenderness tinged with helplessness. She gently caressed Kushina's cheek, trying to soothe her. 

"The Hokage did everything he could to postpone it, but he believes it's best for you to attend. You need to make friends, Kushi-chan." 

"But I have you and Tsunade-san. I don't need anyone else." 

"Kushi…" 

Mito closed her eyes for a moment. She hated this. She hated seeing her little granddaughter suffer. She hated feeling so powerless against the will of a man whom, though she respected, she would never trust with the fate of her own. 

"If it were up to me, I would keep you here, by my side, protecting you." 

Her voice was sweet, but there was a bitter undertone beneath it. 

"But the Hokage wants you to integrate into the village…" 

The venom in her words was barely perceptible, but Kushina felt it. 

Before she could respond, another voice intervened. 

"Come on, Kushina, don't you want to meet a potential friend? Someone your age, I mean." 

Tsunade was leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, a slight smile on her face. 

Kushina looked at her fondly but shook her head. 

Mito, however, frowned. 

"Monkey… you're moving your pieces." 

The elder knew this wasn't just the village's pressure. Sarutobi wanted Kushina in the academy. 

"Kushina, just go and come back to the compound. We won't disappear." 

The old woman tried to smile at her, but her heart felt too heavy. 

"Maybe Tsunade will have to leave for her missions, but I will always be here." 

"But, Grandma…" 

Kushina's eyes started to redden. 

Mito swallowed hard. She didn't want to be cruel, but she also couldn't keep giving her false hope. 

"It's already decided, my dear. It cannot be changed." 

Her hands trembled slightly as she gently held the child's face. 

She didn't want to let her go. 

She didn't want to expose her to the world that had taken her home away. 

But she had no choice. 

Tsunade sighed and stepped closer to Kushina, kneeling in front of her. She took the girl's hands firmly and smiled. 

"Come on, Kushina. We'll go buy some new clothes." 

She ruffled her hair playfully. 

"Make you stand out even more and be the envy of those village girls." 

Kushina didn't respond immediately. She knew her sister was only trying to cheer her up. 

She knew that not even she could change the Hokage's decision. 

"…Fine." 

Though discouraged, at least being with Tsunade would make the day more bearable. 

Mito watched them in silence. 

She had done everything to keep Kushina away from the Hokage's attention. She had avoided visits, delayed decisions, given excuses. But in the end, he was still the leader of the village, and his orders could not be defied. 

The excuse of village pressure was only a half-truth. 

The first one who wanted Kushina in the academy was none other than Hiruzen Sarutobi. 

"I hope you have a strong mind, Kushina." 

Her amethyst eyes shone with determination. 

"And that you can form your own ideas before they try to mold you to their convenience."

Kushina blinked, slowly returning to reality. She realized that Hitoshi was leaning against the wall, his gaze lost in the scenery. Every trace of the meal had disappeared—the utensils were put away, and there was no sign that they had shared anything just minutes before. 

She bit her lip, feeling a slight warmth on her cheeks. She hadn't even noticed what was happening around her. She had been so deep in her thoughts that time had slipped through her fingers. 

She glanced sideways at Hitoshi, but he didn't spare her a single look. 

"Thank you for the meal, Fukui-san. It was delicious." 

The boy's brown eyes flickered toward her for just a moment. Then, without showing any emotion, he returned his gaze to the horizon. 

"Don't worry about it. Like I said, I had brought extra today." 

His voice was flat, indifferent, as if the conversation held no weight in his mind. Kushina frowned. 

"Are you like this with everyone?" 

The question escaped her without much thought. It was a genuine curiosity, one that had been there since the moment she met him. 

"Depends on who you ask. But most would say yes." 

There was no change in his posture, not even the slightest effort to make eye contact. He simply kept watching the scenery, as if the conversation was just insignificant background noise. 

Kushina pressed her lips together. 

The boy's poor response and lack of interest made her consider getting up and leaving. There was no point in trying to keep a conversation going with someone who clearly didn't want to talk. 

But then, a pang of curiosity stopped her. 

What could be so interesting that he ignored everything around him? 

Unable to resist, she grumbled to herself and, instead of leaving, sat down beside him. 

She looked ahead and was met with a breathtaking view. The trees swayed gently with the breeze, birds crossed the sky in organized flocks, mountains rose majestically in the distance, and amidst it all, the academy and its students looked like tiny figures in a constantly moving painting. 

Kushina's amethyst eyes widened in awe. 

It was… beautiful. 

For the first time, she understood why Hitoshi was ignoring her. 

She pulled her knees to her chest and hugged her legs, never taking her eyes off the scene. They remained like that, in silence, sharing the same space without the need for words. 

Minutes later, Hitoshi's voice broke the stillness. 

Kushina blinked, surprised. 

She hadn't expected him to be the one to start the conversation. 

She turned to look at him closely, intrigued by the question he had just asked her. 

"In this time, have you thought about what it means to be part of Konoha?" 

Kushina blinked again, caught off guard by the question. It wasn't something she expected from him. She lowered her gaze, and her fingers began to fidget nervously, intertwining aimlessly. The answer didn't come to her immediately, as if her mind was struggling to shape a feeling that had always been there but had never been put into words. 

"I don't know…" Her voice was quieter than usual, as if she were confessing something she shouldn't. "Sometimes I feel like I'm here just because I happened to be, not because I truly belong. But Grandma and Tsunade are here, so I guess that's enough." 

Hitoshi gave a small nod. That answer told him a lot. 

Kushina didn't see the village as a home, only as the place where the people who made her feel safe happened to be. The difference was subtle but significant. 

"So that's how it is…" 

From the beginning, his sensei had made it clear that he should get close to Kushina. Now, he had a clear starting point. To her, the village was nothing more than the space where the people she cared about existed. Without them, she had no reason to stay. 

It wasn't something he could change overnight, but at least now he knew where to focus. 

Around him, he sensed the faint chakra signatures that confirmed his suspicions. There was surveillance. Possibly Root, maybe even Anbu. It made sense, but it was still irritating. 

"They don't trust her." 

And by extension, they didn't trust him either. 

The thought didn't surprise him. What did irritate him was the paranoia with which they acted. 

Kushina was six years old. The same as him. 

Yet the higher-ups of Konoha were worried about what two children might think or do. 

"Rotten to the core." 

Hiding his thoughts, he raised his hand and extended it toward Kushina. 

"With your goal of becoming Hokage, you're already showing that you have a strong sense of belonging. It's only a matter of time before more people support you on your path." 

He raised his voice slightly on purpose. Not for Kushina, but for the hidden ears listening to every word. 

He wanted them to swallow the idea that the future Jinchūriki had strong loyalty to the village. That they convinced themselves she wasn't a threat. 

Kushina's mouth fell open in a childish expression of surprise. She didn't know what to say. 

Deep inside, her greatest wish was exactly that—to have people who cared for her, who made her feel like she belonged. 

But… could she really have that? 

This boy, who until recently had seemed annoying and insufferable, suddenly felt so different. 

"Can people change so quickly?" 

Without thinking too much about it, she straightened her posture and took Hitoshi's hand with determination. 

"Does this mean you'll support me? Dattebane!" 

The moment she heard herself, she felt heat rush to her face. Her hands flew to her mouth, and her cheeks burned with embarrassment. 

Hitoshi let out a soft chuckle. 

"Ha, ha… Yes, it does, Yondaime-sama." 

He said it so naturally that Kushina could barely process it. 

"Yondaime…?" 

She stared at him, but he didn't seem to give it any importance. 

He simply leaned back against the wall and resumed watching the landscape, as if nothing had happened.

With that, Hitoshi knew he would have to deal with Mikoto the next day. 

In that time, he had come to the conclusion that he couldn't approach her if others didn't allow it. Mikoto was a strong girl, and though he knew she would never want to distance herself from him, the forces surrounding her were greater than what any six-year-old could fully comprehend. Even so, the truth was that a friendship couldn't be forced if not everyone agreed, especially in a place like Konoha, where family alliances and rivalries played a crucial role. 

The trust Mikoto had in him was unshakable, and Hitoshi knew it. The last thing he wanted was for her to become a sacrificial piece for those who couldn't understand what he saw in her. If his relationship with Mikoto meant making absurd decisions, he would do it. If it meant risking going against the village's current, he would do it. It was the price he was willing to pay to keep what he had already built with her. 

Somehow, Mikoto had become an anchor for him—a friendship he couldn't afford to lose. 

But no matter how firm his resolve was, he needed her to show up tomorrow. He couldn't keep going without seeing her, without knowing if she was okay, without knowing if he could still be near her without the chains of Konoha's politics entangling them. 

For now, the silence he shared with Kushina wasn't uncomfortable. In his mind, Hitoshi sorted his thoughts while listening to the girl ask one question after another, a torrent of curiosity that kept him anchored to the present, answering some and offering counterquestions of his own. 

"I miss Mikoto's calm…" 

That thought flowed almost unconsciously. Deep inside, Hitoshi longed for the peace Mikoto gave him, the tranquility they used to share—something that was now an uncertainty he couldn't ignore.